I'm thankful for...

As the Thanksgiving holiday nears, I try to remember to be thankful. After receiving a phone call yesterday from DQ's Language Arts teacher, I tried to focus on the fact that she can talk, even though I was informed that she is talking too much. It seems she has been moved three times since school started, but the problem persists. She talks through the lecture and when it's time for her to do her assigment, she doesn't understand how to do it. No kidding. As any good parent would do, I prayed not to hurt her when I got home. I prayed for patience, understanding and wisdom on how to handle the situation. As many of us know, when we pray for patience, God grants it and it is immediately tested. I've found it almost impossible to reason with DQ. She refuses to take responsibility for her actions and seems to think life is supposed to be fair. I've explained several times that life is not fair and the earlier she realizes it, the earlier she will find peace. So, after about two hours of fussing, screaming and talking, we came to an understanding that she is to go to school, sit, listen, do her work and talk only when it's appropriate. We ended with her writing an apology to her teacher. This morning her mood was somber, so hopefully things will get better. I really am thankful to have three beautiful, healthy, vibrant children.

Not only am I thankful for my children, I'm thankful for my family, no matter how wacky and crazy we can be. This includes my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law and nephews. It seems we'll all be at my parent's for the holiday and my mom informed me that all of her grandchildren are going to help her prepare the meal, now that should be interesting. The children range in age from eleven to four, three boys and two girls. She also informed me that she needs an updated photo of all of her grandchildren. About four years ago, my sister and I decided to the kids and have a portrait taken for my parents for Christmas. It took two trips to the photographer. Trip #1: Nephew 2 didn't want to take his pacifier out of his mouth, there was a car as a prop and four of the five wanted to sit in the car, LP was eight months old and wanted no one to hold her, BUT we got a picture...Trip #2: Everyone was in a good mood and we didn't want any props, so they sat according to height and LP was on her belly, much better. As my sister and I thought about what it took to get the first one done, we decided that we would just go to the park and take pictures in the gazebo, have them developed and frame and mat it ourselves.

We have also decided we are going to enter the Christmas parade in Montrose. The parade is sponsored by the Montrose Development Council and it made up of individuals of a certain family. It seems every year members of this particular family win the cash prizes for best floats/cars in the parade. My sister and I have decided that is going to end this year and we have plans to enter my mom's store in the parade. I was excited about it until I got this elaborate diagram of the float from my sister. At the top of her diagram she wrote, "I know I have too much time on my hands." As I looked at the fireplace and the Christmas tree, I started to rethink the float thing. Thankfully, there has been a change of plans and we are going to do a Christmas cooking theme. I'll be sure to take plenty of photos from both events.

I am so grateful that I am actually looking forward to spending some time with my family. I know there are those who hate the holidays because they are forced to spend time with their families. I feel so blessed that my family is wacky and funloving and no one gets (too) upset about anything. We take a licking and keep on ticking!